Bay Area roads among worst in U.S.

A new report by the non-profit transportation research group The Road Information Program found that the San Francisco-Oakland area has a greater proportion of roads in poor condition than any other major urban area in the U.S.

The report found 74 percent of roads in the San Francisco-Oakland area were in poor condition. The area around Concord had the third-most with 62 percent of roads in poor condition and the area around San Jose came in fifth with 53 percent of roads in poor condition.

In all, California cities accounted for half the top 10 urban areas with populations of 500,000 or more with roads in poor shape, according to the report.

The organization estimates that the poor condition of area roads costs each motorist on average more than $2,000 each year in time and gas lost stuck in traffic, increased vehicle maintenance costs and crashes caused by poorly maintained roads.

In a September report on California roads, TRIP estimated that each San Francisco-Oakland area driver wasted 61 hours each year in traffic congestion, the same as drivers in Los Angeles.

That report also estimated that 28 percent of the state’s bridges are in need of repair or replacement and 17 percent are obsolete.

In a time of improving economic conditions, the group warns that deteriorating road conditions will only cost California residents more money as commerce picks up.

Nationwide traffic has been increasing through 2014 and 2015 after remaining stagnant during the recession years from 2008 to 2013.

TRIP spokeswoman Carolyn Kelly said:

“Without additional transportation funding the roads will continue to deteriorate in the future.”